Many families are making resolutions to save even more money on groceries in the coming year. Another resolution that is often made when a new year comes along is the one to eat healthier. Many think that you cannot eat healthier and spend less on groceries.

Rachael Monaco

You can eat healthier and save money on groceries, and one of the ways you can do that is to make many of your favorite foods from scratch. You ensure that you will know what goes into your food when you make your own mixes, such as pancake and waffle mix. And because you probably have all the ingredients on hand to make your own pancake mix, you will find that it will save you money over buying even generic pancake mixes.

You need to make sure you have some basic ingredients on hand to make up a batch of pancake mix. You will need either unbleached white flour or whole wheat flour or a combination of both. You will also need baking soda, baking powder, salt and sugar. If you have stocked you pantry and cupboards you should have all these items right at your fingertips.

You can make up homemade pancake mix in small or large batches, depending on how often you think you will eat them. You can also make waffles using this homemade mix. This recipe for pancake or waffle mix will yield approximately 24 to 30 six-inch round pancakes or approximately six to eight waffles.

The homemade pancake or waffle mix will keep in an airtight container or good zip locking bag in the cupboard for up to six months. It can also be frozen for up to one year.

Ingredients for homemade pancake or waffle mix:

2½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1/8 cup granulated white sugar

1½ Tablespoons baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

How to make your own pancake or waffle mix:

In a large bowl, sift together all the ingredients to ensure that there are no lumps.

Carefully spoon mix into an airtight container or good quality zip locking bag. Label and date for future use.

How to make pancakes or waffles from your homemade mix:

1¼ cups pancake mix

1 large egg, slightly beaten

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

1 to 1½ cups milk

Place the pancake mix in a large bowl and create a well in the center. Add the egg and oil and half the milk. Whisk until moist, it is okay to have a few lumps. Add more milk, if needed, until mix is the right consistency for pancakes.

Use an electric skillet or large stove-top skillet to make pancakes as you would with store-bought mix.

Yield: approximately 12 to 15 six-inch round pancakes.

You will need a waffle iron to make waffles. Simply use less milk so that the batter is the right consistency for waffles, which is thicker than pancakes. Use approximately two-thirds of a cup of mix for each waffle.

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Rachael Monaco is a freelance writer who has published hundreds of tried and true recipes over the past 15 years. Rachael also writes on a variety of other topics including healthy living, pop culture, celebrity news and gossip, soap operas, reality television, politics and headline news. Contact Rachael by emailing rachaelexamines@gmail.com if interested in her freelance writing services.